Float Your Way To Bliss

Relax and be at one with yourself with this water therapy.

While I was writing this article, I replied to four Whatsapp messages, two emails, had a phone conversation with my bestie while eating a salad for dinner, edited three articles and Instagrammed. In our connected world where multi-tasking is the norm, taking time away to disconnect and just do nothing sounds like a mission impossible – until I discovered Palm Ave Float Club.

Situated in a quiet neighbourhood in the east, this water therapy lets you float in body temperature salt water in a sensory deprivation tank (also known as an isolation tank) that is soundproof and lightless. This may sound like a claustrophobic’s worst nightmare but floatation therapy is gaining popularity for its meditative and relaxing benefits. Palm Ave Float Club is started by Derrick Foo, who first offered this treatment at his home – Palm Ave, hence his company’s namesake. Spurred by his clients’ enthusiasm, he decided to start a wellness centre, which now contains three isolation tanks.

After going through the guidelines and mistakes (don’t pee in the tank, it’s a $1000 mistake, amongst others!), I took a shower as instructed and stepped gingerly into the tank. Before I turned off the light and closed the tank, I took a moment to test out my floating positions and orientate myself. Then, I shut the tank, closed my eyes and let the soothing music guide me into bliss…or so I thought! My active mind started taking notes of how my physical body felt – that the Epsom salt made my skin tingle and that my neck felt stiff holding my head up so that my ears would not be submerged. When I decided to use the float provided to rest my neck and became comfortable, the music stopped and it became real quiet and dark. Then, my inner voice started talking. First I ran through my to-do list and deadlines, even what I wanted for dinner. I let my thoughts run its course, remembering what Derrick said about not expecting anything. Soon, my head chatter faded away and I began to enter into a dreamy, weightless state.

Throughout my 60-minute session, I would alternate between this peaceful environment and guilt that I am taking time away from looming deadlines. Time flew past and before I knew it, the music in the tank started again, signalling the end of my session. I took another shower to rinse off the Epsom salt and joined Derrick for my review.

According to him, most people will not feel much after their first session as their bodies are still orientating. Best results are usually experienced after three sessions. His clients share that they feel euphoria in the next few days after their floats, and regular floaters claim that it helps them clear mind fog, destress and even become more creative! Athletes also use this therapy to enhance their visualisation exercises so that they can perform better. “After a float session, my brain feels like it just came out of a massage. Floating provides the perfect avenue for me to shut out as many peripheral physical distractions as possible so that I can focus on addressing just my mind. Whether I choose to veg out, or go in depth into a particular subject matter that’s been bugging me, the float tank allows me to do that, depending on my needs at that point,” claims regular floater, Mervin Hoon. So, the next time you can’t get hold of me, you know where I am – floating!

Palm Ave Float Club

20 Waringin Park

Singapore 416333

Contact Derrick: 91516004

Price: From $70 for a 60-minute float